Day camping family-style

Chicago Parent Staff

9/1/09 3:24 PM

Summer fun

If your family is ready to explore Chicago, but you need a little help getting started, sign up for a Family Day Camp. The camp features trips to explore area neighborhoods and the hidden gems in the city with the help of a "camp counselor."

"This is something families can do together and it’s an adventure," says Dorothy Coyle, director of the Chicago Office of Tourism. By the time the trip is over, you’ll be your own expert on the area to return for future visits.

The day camps are held on Fridays from July 10-Aug. 28. Families will travel with three to five other families and a camp leader on public transportation to one of four neighborhoods: Garfield Park, Pilsen, Lincoln Park or Jackson Park. The day can include hands-on nature and art activities, trips to neighborhood parks and cultural organizations.

Family Day Camps begin and end at the Chicago Cultural Center, 77 E. Randolph St., 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. The camps cost $10 per person, which includes lunch and transportation. The following camps are planned: Garfield Park, July 10 and Aug. 7; Pilsen, July 17 and Aug. 21; Lincoln Park, July 24 and Aug. 14; Jackson Park, July 31 and Aug. 28. Trips are recommended for families with kids 6 and older.

Another way to learn more about Chicago’s neighborhoods is to visit the Neighborhood Week at the Family Fun Tent in Millennium Park from July 13-19 and the Neighborhood Scavenger Hunts. For more information on these and the day camps or to register for a camp, visit www.explorechicago.com or call (312) 742-8497.